By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) – Greece on Monday announced plans to create two marine parks—one in the Ionian Sea and the other in the southern Aegean.
“Today, I am delivering on that promise with the establishment of two new Marine National Parks—one in the Ionian Sea and the other in the Southern Cyclades, in the iconic Aegean,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a video message.
Mitsotakis added that the parks would be among the largest marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. “They will be vast sanctuaries for life beneath the waves. They will also help to preserve ecosystems, restore balance, and set a bold new standard for marine conservation.”
Most importantly, he underlined that bottom trawling will be prohibited in these parks.
“Working with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, and also global partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible. By doing this, Greece can be a voice for the sea, not only in Europe but also beyond,” Mitsotakis said.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry issued a response to the announcement on Monday, stating that unilateral actions should be avoided in closed or semi-enclosed seas such as the Aegean and the Mediterranean.
The ministry statement noted that Greece’s initiative, initially announced last year, would have no legal effect, particularly given ongoing sovereignty disputes in the Aegean.